Motion picture machine



July 14, 1931. T, HlLL MOTION PICTURE MACHINE Filed Feb. 29, 192B 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 July 14, 1931. T. HILL. 1,814,217

MOTION PICTURE MACHINE Filed Feb. 29, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jy if 3V f7 .7 5 i7 i gwoe'ntoz July 14, 1931. T. HILL 1,814,217

MOTION PICTURE MACHINE Filed Feb. 29, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented July 14, 1931 PATENT- OFFICE THEODORE HILL, OF BALTDIORE, MA/BYLAND norton" Presman MACHINE Application led February 29, 1928. Serial No. 257,921.

This invention relates to improvements in moving picture machines.

Heretofore', in order to save unnecessary delay in the projection of moving pictures, it

was necessary to provide two yseparate -machines in which were mounted the consecutive reels. When the reel in one machine was completely unwound the other machine, in.

which was mounted the following reel, was set in operation.' Such a method presented two outstanding disadvantages. vDue to the duplication of equipment the installation and maintenance costsiwere greatly increased. In

addition to this,the extra burden of dual adjustment was placed upon the operator.

It is an objectv of this invention to provide a moving picture machine which is adapted to project separate reels substantially continuously. e l

Another object is to reducethe cost of op` erating moving picture machines by an association of parts which permits of a'. single adjustment for a plurality of machines.

Yet another object is to sim lify the construction of` an apparatus of t is character by utilizing a single driving motor vfor a plurality oi projectors.

A further Aobject is to facilitate cinemaf tographic operation by providing a single 0 source of light for a plurality of projectors.

I 'accomplish these and other important and related objects by providing an elongated frame on which is slidably mounted-a plurality of projectors adapted to be moved to produce association with a single source of light and a single lens.

' To enable a ready understandinguof the invention I have shown in the accompanying ly embodies its underlying principles. In these the same numerals refer to similar parts throughout several views of which Figure 1 is a front elevation oi. a machine.

Fig. 2 is a side'elevation, part in section, of the device shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. y3 is an enlarged section taken on line 3 3 of Fig. l. j

Fig. 4 is a similar view taken on line tf-4 of Fig. 1.

drawings a typical device which mechanical- Vtrip mechanism.

g. 6 is a perspective view of the base of the machine.

Fig. 7 isa top section taken online 7--7 of 55 is shown in Figures 1 and 2, the support for the machine comprises a pedestal 1 of any desired shape. The base of the pedestal (not shown) is firmly secured to any fixed supn port. Upon the upper portion 2 there is provided a supporting block 3. This is secured to the pedestal by a swivel connection (not shown) adapted to allow circumferential and angular movement of the block with respect .to the pedestal. To the upper portion of the supporting block 3 there is secured a frame member designated generally by the numeral 4. These parts may be joined by detachable screw means such as bolts and nuts to facilitate the assembling' of the apparatus and to allow access to the adjustment means in the supporting block 3.

The frame 4, as shown more particularl in Figure 6, comprises a bottom plate 5 Whic is cut out to present the extending parallel supporting arms 6, and the angularly disposed extensions 7 and 8. Spaced above the lateral arms 6 and screwed thereto bythe side piece 9, Jas by screws 9, are the upper supports 10. These extend the full length of the frame and are cut out to present guide channels 11, for a purpose to appear more fully hereinafter. The forward top support 10A isformed with a central plate extension 12. Likewise, the rear upper support 10 is provided with a central laterally projecting arm 13. This arm is cut out centrally to form an elongated slot 11i. The extensions 12 and 13 are fastened to the lower frame members 7 and 8 through the intermediacy of the intermediate vertical extension 15 and the endsection 16, 'to insure a rugged supporting structure for themachine.

The arms 12 and 13 are adapted to support the lens and shutter mechanism, and the lamp house respectively. To mount the lamp house there is provided a plate 17 of any convenient length and of a width corresponding to the width of the co-acting extension I plane, to present a plurality of apertures.

In these are received the securing members 2() which extend' beyond the slot 14 and are threaded at their lower ends to receive the lock nuts As will be understood, these nuts are of such size as to abut the bottom of the late 13 adjacent the side of the slot.

It will e appreciated that by reason of this structure, plate 17 may be moved longitudinally of the extension 13 to the limit allowed by the slot' 14 and locked in any desired position of adjustment. I

Adapted to be mounted upon the sup-l porting rods 19 is a lamp house generally deslgnated by the reference numeral 68. The lamp house is provided with suitablev extensions 74, provided with openings therethrough so that they slip over `the rods 19. Set screws 75 are threaded into the outer end of the extensions 74 in order that the lamp house may be adjusted vertically if desired and securely held in adjusted position upon the supporting rods 19.

The lamp house 68 may be of any conventional design desired, and is provided with suitable Ventilating caps 69, a light source such as the bulb 70, reflector 71 and lenses 72. For the purpose of obtaining entrance vtothe lamp house it is provided with a suitable closure 73 and a. catch for securing the same. As may be noted in Figure 2, upon the lower arm 8 of the frame below the lamp house, there is secured in any conventional manner, a suitable current regulator 115 for control-, ling the current used by the device.

s will be noted on reference to Fig. 6, a support frame for the lens and shutter mech'- anlsm is mounted on the forward part of the support 7. .This frame may comprise a single piece of material having the vertical sides .21 and 22 and an intermediate top section 23. The terminal of the side 21 is-bent anularly toform a securing iiange 24.

hrough the intermediacy of this flange the shutter support may be rigidly attached to the' extension 7 by suitable means such as tap screws 25. Similarly the rear side 22 is flanged at 26 and is fastened to the extension-12 by the screw means 27. It will bc nned that the vertical extension 15 is formed with a lateral flange 28 which provides a wide bearing surface to which the extension 12 'is fastened. It will be understood, of course, that Whilethe front and rear members 21 and 22 and the top member 23 form a single piece of material, this may be made up of several piecesfastened together in any de- 1 sired manner.

The front plate 21l near its upper end, is apertured and provided with a collar 29 in which, as will be noted, a lens may be mounted. On its interior face this plate is formed with a collar 30 which is adapted to serve as a bearing for a shutter shaft. Similarly the rear plate 22 isformed with an elongated sleeve 31 which is ,of the same diameter and is aligned with the collar 29. This sleeve receives the tube 32 in which are mounted magnifying lenses, ina well-known manner.

,this extensionis apertured and serves conjointly with the brace 36 to support one of the shafts in the power transmission line of the shutter.

The frame member and its associated parts, hereinbefore described, are adapted to supporta motor which operates the shutter and the projector machine. The electric motor,

designated'on the drawings by the .numeral 38, may be of lthe usual type. This is supported on the central portion 5 of the frame y means of the bed plate 39, in the usual manner. yCentrally `mounted on the lower section ofthe-frame is a second supporting plate 40. Mounted on this plate by means of screws 41 are two journal boxes 42. These may be'of-the usual split, bearing type.

- The motor 38 is-fprovided 'with a driving shaft 43, which projects toward the center of the supporting frame. Tothe end of this shaft there is `a s lined, or otherwise suitably xed, groove pulley 44. The bearings 42, mentioned above, su ort a shaft 45. Intermediate its ends an eyed on this shaft are the yfriction driving wheels 46, for a purpose-to appear presentl As will bev seen upon an-inspection of Figure 7, the shaft 45 also carries a driven grooved pulley 47. Se-

cured to the pulley, or-directly to the shaft 45, is a bevel driving gear 48. The driven shaft 45, is adapted to impart rotatable movement, to the shutter. To accomplish this the bushedshaft support, 49 is screwed on the supporting plate 40. This ma be formed integrally with, or detachably om-the plate. A driven shaft 50 is journaled near one of its ends in the bushin support 49 and near its other end in a suitable aperture in the vertical extension 15. At. each end there are keyed to the shaft the bevel ears 51 and 52.'

ears have on the shaft. The gear 51 meshes with the correspondinfgear 48 and receives motion therefrom. driving belt 53 fits in 'the grooves of the pulleys 44 and 47 and trans- .mits motion of the shaft 43 to the shaft 45.

The motor and transmission mechanism, above described, are associated with the shutter mechanism. As appears in Figures 2 and 8 shaft 54 is journaled near its ends in the bearingl portions of the supports 36 and 37. Below the support 37 there is affixed to the shaft a bevel gear 55. This gear, like gears 51 and 52, is formed with an integral reduced sleeve or collar 56 which may be bored .and the aperture internally threaded to receive a set screw, by means of which the gear is connected to the shaft. To the upper end of the shaft there is affixed in a similar manner a second bevel gear 57. It will be noted that the lower portion of the' gear collar 58 rests upon the contiguous portion of the bracket 4 36 and serves, in conjunction with the collar 56, to prevent vertical displacement of the shaft.

As has been indicated hereinbefore, the front and rear plates'21 and 22 are adapted to support a shutter shaft. This is indicated on the drawings by the numeral 59. At each end the shaft is provided with bearing collars 60 and 61 which nest in corresponding apertures in the bearings and 33 and support the shaft for free rotative movement. Adjacent the collar 61 the shaft carries a bevel gear 62, aiiixed thereto in the manner already described. This gear meshes with the corresponding bevel vgear 57. Intermediate its ends and adjacent the collar 60 there is mounted on the shaft a shutter wheel v63. As

shown more particularly in Figure 1, this comprisesl a rim 64 and the diametric vanes j 65. The vanes are joined at the center to an elongated sleeve 66 which is apertured jas at 67 for the purpose of aiixing the shutter wheel to the shaft.

It will be noted thatdriving pulley 44 isvof the same diameter as the driven pulley 46 and also that the gears 48, 51, 52, 55, 57, and 62, are of the same size. The operation of the shutter mechanism will be appreciated from the foregoing description. When the motor is started, by throwing in a switch (not shown) pulley 44, through the lbelt 53, operates the pulley 47. vSince these are of the same diameter the shaft 45 is driven at the same speed as the shaft 43. Movement of the shaft 45 is vtransmitted to the shutter Wheel 63 through the transmission mechanism including theshafts 50, l54, and 59, and their interconnected gears. The-shutter wheel, as will be appreciated, revolves at the same speed as the motor shaft.

The two machines are slidably mounted in 'the frame 5 for selective operation with respect to the shutter and light source. These machines are identical in construction and derstood that what is said of one applles to the other. Each machine comprises a housing17 6, on the top of which is iixedly mounted a m box 77 which has the usual glass insert .7 8 for permitting a view of the interior. As

is known, on the interior of `the box is mounted a spool from which the iilm is unwound. The mechanism for operating the film may be of any desired type. This is shown conventionally on the drawings as comprising the sprocket 7 9 which engages the small gear 80. The gear 80 connects with the lower sprocket 8l which in turn is directlyassociated vwith the intermediate sprocket 82 and intermediately through the driving belt 83 to the film box spindle84. The intermediate sprocket 82 carries a fly-Wheel 85 and is in driving connection, through the belt 86, with the motor driven pulley 87. The film 88 is unwound from the upper lm box and due to the inter-action of the driving train, passes over suitabl positioned guide rollers through the path o ight emanating from the lamp house, to be nally wound on the spool in the lower iilm box. The mechanismfor moving the film is adapted to be driven from the same source of power as operates the shutter mechanism. The apparatus for accomplishing this is shown in Figure 4. As there depicted, a depending support block 89 is fixed to the bot-- tom of the house 76. Mounted upon one of the frame members -10 so as to be in the lateral path of each of the machines 76 -is a block 90. Integrally formed with or detachably mounted upon this block is a lug 91 having oppositely projecting abutment extensions 92. It will be seen that the block 89 is bored out to present a tubular aperture 93. Into this aperture is fitted a buii'er mechanism. This comprises essentially a shank 94 formed at one end with head 95 which isl adapted to slidingly engage the sides of the slot 93. To the other end of thev shank 94 is secured an abutment collar 96. Interposed between the collar 96 and the adjacent sidel of the block 89 is a buffer' spring 97. It will be seen that when a force is applied on the abutment collar 96 the spring 97 is compressed and the shank 94 slides longitudinally in the block 89.

The lower section of the block 89 is adapted to carry the driving means for the film mechanism. This member is bored to form a cylidrical aperture in which is nested the sleeve 98. To one endof the sleeve a grooved driv-v ing pulley 87 is secured by means of the set screw 100. The opposite end of the sl leve is drawn out to provide' a shoulder 101 which itsv in a correspondingly shaped depression inthe support block. Fitting in the bore of v the sleeve is a driving shaft 102. This is operatively connected with the sleeve bya 'pin and slot connection '103, in such a manner as to cause these elements to revolve together while permitting a limited degree of relative longitudinal movement. Atv its inner end there is keyed to the shaft 102 a friction wheel 104. This is formed with an integral circular dollar 105 through which the wheel may be detachably fixed to the shaft. Encircling the shaft 102 and positioned between the shoulder 101 andcollar 105 is a helical buer spring 106. It will be observed that when one machine is in its idle position (as shown to the right in Figure-4) the plunger 94 is forced outwardly so that the head 95 abuts the closed end ofthe slot 93. In this position of the several parts, the` abutment head 96 projects a considerable distance beyond the wheel 104. Likewise the shaft 102 is forced outwardly, by the force exerted by the spring 106, until the terminal collar 107 abuts the contiguous face of the pulley'87.

As has been described hereinbefore the frame members 10 are .cut out to form the channels or grooves 11. In the bottom of each machine 76 are journaled a plurality of antifriction rollers 108. These fit into the grooves and guide the machine in its traversing movements on the frame. To facilitate the lateral movement of the machines each housing is provided with a hand grip 109.l

It is desirable to provide means which serve to hold the machine in the proper position dii-ring operations as well as in its idle position. In Figure 5 lI have showna device for accomplishing this. y This comprises a latch 110 which is pivoted, as at 111, to a convenient v part of each machine 76. This has an angularly disposed toe 112 which is adapted to engage a notch 113 cut out of the frame member 10. .Suitably mounted on the machine and bearing directly against the heel of the latch is a leaf spring 114. The parts are so arranged that the toe 112 engages the vertical face of the notch as the machine approaches its position of rest adjacent the end of the frame.' A similar notch foi` each latch is cut out in the frame so as to lock the machine in its operative position, that is to say, near the center portion. j

The operation of the device will be apparent from the foregoing description. The lamp house may be properly adjusted and locked in the desired position by manipulation of the adjustment screws 20 and 75. The

frame, including the machine, lamp housing,

. and shutter mechanism may be traversed to cause it to assume the proper position for the projection of a picture. Such movement is permitted, as-has been described, by reason of the swivel'mounting of the frame on the supporting block 3.

Vhen the motor is energized, rotative movement of the motor shaft is transmitted bythe pulley 44 and belt 53 to the driven shaft 45. As has been explained, this drives the shutter Wheel at the same rate of speed through the connections including the. shafts 50, 54, 59 and their inter-meshing gears'. It

will be understood that the gears 46 are positively connected to the'shaft 45 and hence rotate with it.

When it is desired to move one machine into operative position the handle 109 may be grasped and the machine pushed towards the center. During this movement the toe of the latch rides on the inclined face of the notch 113. As the machine approaches the operative position the abutment plug 96 abuts the lug extension 92 and effectively retards the movement of the machine. continues in its lateral movement the buer spring 97 is compressed and the driven member 104 frictionally engages` its corresponding driving wheel 46. During the initial engagement of these members the shaft 102 slides longitudinally in its co-acting sleeve and the spring 106 is compressed. At the same time the shaft 102 drives the film mechanism through the connections, outlined hereinbefore. lVhen the machine has reached its operating position the leaf spring 114 forces the toe of the latch into the center notch. The toe is thereafter firmly retained in that position by reason of the force exerted by the compressed springs 97 and 106.V It will be appreciated thatl when the parts attain this position the single motor 38 drives the shutter mechanism and also causes the film to be unwound and pass through the path of light. The speed at which the film moves can be regulated by adjusting the differential of the pulleys 87 and 82.

It will now be seen that I have provided a moving picture machine which may be operated lsubstantially continuously. When the reel on one machine is completely unwound the latch mechanism may be tripped and the machine moved out of position while the second machine is simultaneously moved into operative position. By utilizing a single motor, shutter mechanism, and lamp house mounted on a single pedestal, the cost of installation, operation and replacement is greatly reduced and the operation itself simplified. The described apparatus is compact and may conveniently be handled by one operator.

While I have shown and described a preferred embodiment of my invention it is to be understood that this is but a typical apparatus which embodies the underlying principles herein set forth and since these may be incorporated in other specific mechanical structures I do not intend to be limited to that shown, except as lsuch limitations are clearly imposed by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A motion picture machinecomprising a base, an elongated frame adjustably mounted on the base, a shutter mechanism supported on the frame, a plurality of projector machines laterally movable on the frame and loperating means comprising a motion transmission mechanism positively connected to As the machine A los the shutter and adapted to be detachably coupled with each projector machine.

2. A motion picture'machine comprising a base, an elongated frame adjustably mounted on the base, a shutter mechanism and a lamp house supported on the frame, a plurality of projector machines laterally movable on the frame, and operating means comprising a motion transmission mechanism positively connected to the shutter and adapted to be detachably coupled with each projector machine.

3. A motion picture apparatus comprising a base, a frame having a lamp house, shutter mechanism and a prime mover thereon, a

plurality of projector machines slidably mountedfon the frame, said prime mover being positively connected to the shutter mechanism and also to a plurality of friction Wheels, means on each of said projector machines adapted to engage said friction Wheels so that either projector machine may be actuated when it is in operative relation with the lamp house and the shutter mechanism.

4. A motion picture apparatus comprising a base, a frame having a lamp house, shutter mechanism and a prime mover thereon, a plurality of projector machines slidably mounted on the frame, said prime mover being positively connected to the shutter mechanism and also to a plurality of friction wheels, means on each of said projector machines adapted to engage said friction Wheels so that either projector machine may actuated When it is in operative relation with the lamp house and shutter mechanism, and means for securing each projector machine in such position.

5. A motion picture apparatus comprising a base, a frame mounted thereon, a lamp house, shutter mechanism and aprirne movej` on the frame, a plurality of projector machines slidably mounted on the frame, said prime mover being positively connected to the f shutter mechanism so as to drive the same,

and also .connected to a plurality of friction Wheels, a block depending from each of said projector machines, said block carrying a spring pressed shaft, a friction wheel `on one end ofv said shaft, meansl on the other end of said shaft for actuating the projector machine upon rotation of said shaft, said friction wheel on each projector machine adapted to engage a friction Wheel driven by said prime mover when said projector machine is vin operative relation with the lamp house and shutter mechanism;

6. A motion picture apparatus comprising a base, a frame mounted thereon, a lamp house, shutter mechanism, and a prime mover on the frame, a plurality of projector machines slidably mounted on the frame, said prime mover being positively connected to tshutter mechanism so as to drive the `e and also connectedto a plurality of friction Wheels, a. block depending from each of said projector machines, said block carrying a spring pressed shaft, a friction wheel on one end of said shaft, means on the other end of said shaft for actuating the projector machine upon the rotation of the shaft, said friction Wheel on the projector machine adapted to engage a friction Wheel driven by said prime mover when the projector machine is in operative relation with the lamp house and shutter mechanism, and means for securing v extending therethrough, a sleeve mounted in@ said opening so as to rotate therein, a shaft positioned Within said sleeve so as to rotate therewith, said shaft being slidable longitudinally of said sleeve, means upon one end of said sleeve for connecting theV same to the projector machine, a spring upon the other end of said shaft, a friction Wheel adjacent said spring, said prime mover being positively connected to the shutter mechanism and to a plurality of friction wheels,

the friction wheel associated With each projector machine adapted to engage a friction Wheel driven by said prime mover when said projector machine is in operative relation with the lamp house and shutter mechanism, and means for securing the projector machine in such relation.

8. A motion picture machine comprising a base, a frame surmounting the base, a shutter mechanism and a prime mover positioned on said frame, a plurality of projector machines slidably mounted on the frame, said prime mover being positively connected to said shutter mechanism so as to actuate the same, means carried upon each of said projector machines for e'ecting driving engagement With the prime mover when said projector machine is positioned in operative relation with the shutter mechanism, and resilient means adapted to check the motion of each projector machine as it approaches the prime mover.

9. A motion picture apparatus comprising a base, a framev thereon, a shutter mechanism for a prime mover mounted on said;

frame, said prime mover being positively connected to said shutter mechanism so as to actuate the same and also connected to a plurality of friction wheels, a plurality of projector machines slidably mounted on said frame, each of said projector machines being rovided with s ring pressed friction means or ,effecting a riving engagement between it and the prime mover when said pro'ector machine is in operative relation wit the shutter mechanism, and resilient means adapted to check the motion of each projector machine as it approaches the prime mover. y

10. A motion, picture apparatus compris'- ing a base, a frame thereon, a shutter mechanism for a prime mover, mounted on said frame, said prime mover being positively connected to said shutter mechanism so as to actuate the same and also connected to a plurality of friction wheels, a plurality of projector machines slidably mounted on said frame each of said projector machines being provi ed with s ring pressed friction means or effecting a riving en gement between it and the prime mover w en said pro "ector machine is in operative relation wit the shutter mechanism, resilient means adapted to check the motion of each. projector machine as it approaches the prime mover, and means gfor securing each projector machine in operative position.

In testimony whereof I afx my signature.

THEODORE HILL. 

